Chapter 200
Seeing Umi there, Mineo was momentarily stunned.
"Umi, you're here too?"
"Yes, I happened to be visiting Honoka's house... so I just stayed here."
As soon as Umi finished her sentence, Honoka ran over and said happily, "I'm the one who called Umi over! It makes it easier so Mineo-oniichan doesn't have to go somewhere else later."
"We can discuss the future development of μ's right here."
"Mom, can I take some of the desserts?"
Hearing her daughter's request, Honoka's mother gave a thin smile and replied, "Of course that's fine. Just pick whichever sweets you'd like."
"You kids go on up and chat. I'll get the tea ready."
"Thanks, Mom! We're heading upstairs then!"
"Mineo-oniichan, hurry up. And Umi, don't be so slow!"
After Mineo, Honoka, and Umi headed upstairs, a man stepped out from the kitchen on the first floor.
"I thought I heard people talking just now. Do we have guests?"
Hearing her husband's question, Honoka's mother smiled slightly. "Honoka's friend is visiting. A handsome young man from China."
"I'm about to prepare some tea for them. Make sure to cook a bit extra for lunch later."
"No problem at all! I'll show off my culinary skills today!"
Honoka's father let out a small smile. "But this is really rare. Aside from Kotori and Umi, Honoka has another close friend, and it's a boy."
"Dear, do you think Honoka might be dating soon?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Just go and cook! How old is our daughter? What are you thinking about all day?"
"I'm not just thinking things up. Usually, you're the one worrying about how our daughter will ever get married with that tomboyish personality of hers. I'm just worrying on your behalf."
"Enough, enough, let's not talk about this anymore. Get the lunch ready while I brew the tea."
"Alright, alright!"
...
The scene shifted back to the second floor.
Honoka happily led Mineo upstairs. A moment later, a cute little head popped out from one of the rooms.
"Onee-chan, is there a guest?"
The cute teenage girl before his eyes was wearing a clean white shirt and very short shorts—one of her shoulder straps was even slipping down slightly.
The moment she saw Mineo, the girl froze.
In the next heartbeat, she let out an instinctive yelp and slammed the door shut!
"Onee... Onee-chan! Why... why did you bring... bring a boy home!"
"Sorry, sorry, Yukiho! I forgot to tell you!"
Honoka apologized through the door, her face full of guilt. Then she turned to Mineo and said:
"Yukiho, this is my good friend, Takamine Mineo. He's from China. He came to Tokyo specifically to cheer for our group, μ's."
"Mineo-oniichan, this is my younger sister, Yukiho! Isn't she cute?"
...
Two minutes later, Mineo entered the room.
Kousaka Yukiho sat politely by the table, her head bowed as her face flushed with heat. She had since changed into a long-sleeved shirt and medium-length pants.
"Onii... Mineo-oniichan, hello... hello!"
"I... I am Kousaka Yukiho!"
"If you don't mind, Onii... Onii-chan, please just call me Yukiho."
"I'm sorry, Yukiho. I should have let you know we were coming up."
Mineo looked at Yukiho with a smile. He had to admit, the genes in Honoka's family were excellent. Even her younger sister was incredibly adorable.
As if feeling Mineo's gaze on her, Yukiho lowered her head even further. The blush on her face had spread all the way down to her neck. Overcome with nerves, Yukiho scrambled to her feet.
"I... I'll go help with the tea!"
"That... I'll be right back!"
"Yukiho, Mom is already boiling the water. Why don't you stay here and talk with us? Weren't you really interested in μ's? Let me tell you, the success of our performances is all thanks to Mineo-oniichan!"
"Eh? Onee-chan, you mentioned before that someone was supporting μ's. Was that person Mineo-oniichan?"
"That's right! I'm telling you, if it weren't for Mineo-oniichan, I still wouldn't know where to start even now."
Honoka pushed the plate of desserts toward Mineo.
"Mineo-oniichan, try these! They're our family's specialty sweets!"
"Even though they definitely can't compare to your skills, they're still very tasty. Umi loves them the most!"
"Every time Umi comes over, she eats so many of them!"
Hearing Honoka's teasing, Umi's face instantly turned red.
"Who... who eats so many?"
"I... I only have a little taste once in a while."
"Honoka... you... stop talking nonsense!"
Honoka looked at Umi's embarrassed face and gave a mischievous grin.
"Anyway, I'm pretty bored of eating the sweets at home. I much prefer the toast Mineo-oniichan makes."
"Mineo-oniichan, when can you make your cooking for me again? I've even been dreaming about the taste these past few days!"
"Anytime. Next time you want to eat, I'll make some and send it to you, or you can come visit my place."
"Visit Mineo-oniichan's place? In China? That seems a bit far. I don't know if Mom and Dad would agree, but I personally really want to go. Once I'm older, it should be no problem at all!"
Listening to her sister's conversation with Mineo, Yukiho lifted her head curiously and stared at him.
"Can Mineo-oniichan cook?"
Before Mineo could even answer, Honoka spoke to her sister with sheer excitement.
"I'm telling you, Yukiho, Mineo-oniichan's cooking skills are beyond amazing!"
"That flavor—I guarantee you—once you've tasted it, you'll never forget it for the rest of your life!"
"I feel like if Mineo-oniichan ran a bakery, customers from all over Tokyo—no, the whole world—would be absolutely satisfied by his skills!"
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